Cartridge syringe holder



Nov. 12, 1968 J. A. NGJD 3,410,267

CARTRIDGE SYRI NGEI HOLDER Filed Spt. 10, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN ADOLF N'OJD his ATTORNEYS Nov. 12, 1968 J. A. NGJD CARTRIDGE SYRINGE HOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet? :"iled Sept. 10, 1965 INVENIOR. JOHN- E ADOLF NOJD his ATTORNEYS Nov. 12, 1968 J. A. NCJD 3,410,267

CARTRIDGE SYR INGE HOLDER Filed Sept. 10, 1965 4 Sheet-Sheet :5

Z63 l g! 26 ,5 299 2602 qor-m ADoli f lsg BJZM his ,arromvc'rs' NOV. 12, J NGJD CARTRIDGE SYRINGE HOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 :"iled Sept. 10 1965 INVENTOR. JOHN ADOLF NOJD FIG. /0

ATTORNEYS I his United States Patent 3,410,267 CARTRIDGE SYRINGE HOLDER John Adolf Niijd, Sodertalje, Sweden, assignor to Ahtiebolaget Astra, Sodertalje, Sweden, :1 company of Sweden Filed Sept. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 486,427 Claims priority, application Sweden, Sept. 18, 1964, 11,277/64 24 Claims. (Cl. 128218) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure herein relates to a hypodermic syringe comprising an ampule needle unit and a syringe body wherein the rear of the ampule needle unit is detachably secured to the forward end of the syringe body by the engagement of a peripheral flange formed on the rear end of the ampule with a contoured notch formed in an attaching member of the syringe body and by the relative longitudinal movement of a locking member along the attaching member which secures the flange within the notch by pressing the rear of the ampule and the forward end of the attaching member together.

This invention relates to a hypodermic syringe, employing an ampule, which may be of the disposable variety.

Many hypodermic syringes are adapted for a single use. Still other hypodermic syringes are manufactured for multiple uses and include disposable ampule units. With such devices, often the coupling of the ampule to the syringe body may be time-consuming and accomplished with difliculty. Another disadvantage of such hypodermic syringes is that often the ampules are adapted to carry only a single size dosage.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved hypodermic syringe, employing a readily attachable disposable ampule body.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ampule body which may be suitably packaged with different dosages of medication.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a hypodermic injection syringe which is relatively simple in design, including components readily manufactured and assembled, so that the syringe will operate with freedom from difificulty.

The hypodermic injection syringe according to the invention includes a syringe body unit having a stem arranged through a bore provided in the body; an ampule needle unit having a needle holder with a hypodermic needle mounted in the holder; a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, where the medication may be placed; means sealing the passage, preferably a piston movable through the passage by an engagement with the stem to expel the medication through the needle; and particular means described below for detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body. The ampule body and the syringe body may be so constructed that when they are secured together, the outer surface of the ampule body and the syringe body are coplanar so that, in effect, the exterior surface of the ampule forms an extension or elongation of the syringe body surface.

More particularly, the detachable means in one embodiment includes a peripheral notch, formed in the exterior portion of the forward end of the syringe body, and a cooperative peripheral flange, provided at the inner and rear end of the ampule body and extending radially inwardly into the ampule passage. The flange and the notch are contoured to engage one another and thereby secure the ampule body to the syringe body.

Preferably, additional means may also be provided to insure that the flange and notch remain in engagement during injection of the medication.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a hypodermic syringe, partially broken away, embodying the invention;

FIGURES 2-3 show views of other detachable means for securing an ampule body to the syringe body;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration, partially broken away, of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the detachable securing means of FIGURE 4;

FIGURES 6-8 illustrate further detachable securing arrangements embodying the invention;

IGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a schematic illustration of a hypodermic syringe, partially broken away for clarity of illustration, showing other detachable securing means;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of FIGURE 10, illustrating the position when the ampule body is secured to the syringe body, and the forward end of the syringe stem is in engagement with the ampule piston; and

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11, but prior to the engagement of the ampule and syringe bodies.

The hypodermic syringe 10, shown in FIGURE 1, includes the syringe body unit 11, an ampule needle unit 12, and means for detachably securing the rear of the ampule needle unit 12 in the forward end of the syringe body 13. The syringe body 13, of cylindrical configuration, is formed with a bore 15 of general cylindrical configuration, extending from the front end 16 0f the body 13, through the rear end 18 of the body 13. The bore 15 is large enough to receive two lands 19 and 20, formed on the forward end of a slidably mounted stem 22, equipped with a thumb support 23 in threaded engagement with its rear end. The first land 19 has a frustoconical surface, flaring outwardly from the forward edge of the stem 22, and the second land 20, spaced from the first land 19, is of cylindrical configuration. Moreover, the second hand has a larger diameter than the largest diameter of the first land 19. As seen shortly, the two lands 19 and 2t) cooperate with a recess 26, formed in the rear end of a piston 27 of the ampule unit 12, so as to be detachably secured thereto.

The ampule needle unit 12 includes an ampule body 32 and a needle holder 33. The ampule body 32 is cylindricai in shape and includes a passage 35, which opens at the rear end 36 of the ampule body 32. The piston or stopper 27, preferably made of rubber, seals the passage and is engageable by the stem 22 to expel medication through a hypodermic needle 37, secured in the needle holder 33. The ampule body 32 is provided with a flange 39, formed at its rear end 36, and extending radially inwardly from the wall 40 into the interior of the passage 35.

Mounted at the forward end 42 of the ampule body 32, the needle holder 33, having a rear cylindrical flange 43, is secured within an annular recess 44, opening on the forward end 42 of the ampule body 32. The flange 43, although tightly fitting within the recess 44, is movable rearwardly in relation to the ampule body 32, so that when the flange 43 is fully seated within the recess 44, the rear end of the hypodermic needle 37 will have pierced the ampule wall 46, so that the hypodermic needle 37 will be positioned within the interior of the passage 35. Conveniently, the hypodermic needle 37 is shielded by a removable sheath 48, which may be formed of some plastic material.

The piston 27, in sealing relation with the wall 40, is movable through the passage 35 to expel medication from the passage 35 through the hypodermic needle 37. The recess 26 has a cylindrical bore 26a, extending from the rear edge of the piston 27 and opening into a large cavity section 26]), providing a receptacle for the land 19 of the stem 22. The diameter of the bore 26a is slightly greater than the diameter of the stem section 22 located between the lands 19 and 20, but has a smaller diameter than the largest diameter of both lands 19 and 20.

The syringe body 13 comprises a forward portion 122 and a rear portion 123, secured together by means of a threaded connection 124. The forward portion 122, of cylindrical configuration, is provided with four equidistant longitudinal slots 127, extending rearwardly from the forward edge 16 of the body 13 to a position adjacent the rear end of the forward portion 122. This, in effect, provides the portion 122 with four longitudinal forward segments 131, each formed of a resilient material and so structured that its forward thickened portion 132, having an interior cylindrical surface 133, is urged into engagement with the outer surface of the stem 22. At the forward end of each of the segments 131, formed in the periphery thereof, is a notch 29, which is adapted to cooperate with and receive the peripheral flange 39, formed on the rear of the ampule body 32. A frusto-conical surface 30 is disposed just forward of the notch 29 on the syringe body.

The forward end of the stem 22 is provided with a section 22a of reduced diameter, which merges into a section 22b of greater diameter, so that, in the illustrative position, the large section 2212, being in contact with the surface 133 of each segment 131, forces the segments 131 outwardly so that the notch 29 receives the flange 39 of the ampule body 32. However, when the stem 22 is retracted so that the reduced section 22a engages the surface 133, the segments 131 will move radially inward, thus disengaging the notch 29 from the flange 39. Accordingly, from this position the ampule body 32 can either be attached or removed from the syringe body 13.

When assembled, the outer surface of both the syringe body 13 and ampule body 32 are co-planar; therefore, the ampule body 32 may be said to form an extension or elongation of the syringe body 13.

Reviewing, when the stem 22 is moved forward, the

first land 19 is forced into the cavity 26b of the recess 26. The piston 27, after a short displacement, will remain stationary due to the relative incompressibility of the medication in the passage 35. The protective sheath 48 should now be removed from about the hypodermic needle 37, and the needle holder 33, pressed rearwardly, forces the rear end of the hypodermic needle 37 into engagement with the interior of the passage 35 by penetrating through the wall 46.

Thereafter, the hypodermic needle 37 is plunged into the skin of the patient to the depth desired, and by placing pressure upon the stem 22, the medication is forced out of the ampule passage 35 through the needle 37 into the tissues.

After injection, the stem 22 is retracted until the rear end of the piston 27 engages the front end 16 of the syringe body 13, which prevents further retraction of the piston 27, so that the stem 22 now may be completely withdrawn from the recess 26. Thereafter, the ampule needle unit 12 is removed from the syringe unit 11, in the manner previously described.

Preferably, the syringe body 13 is manufactured from metal, whereas the ampule is constructed of a relatively resilient material such as plastic, like polyester or a material such as nylon, which should be nonhydroscopic in nature and relatively inexpensive, inasmuch as the ampules will generally be disposable.

The hypodermic syringe 150 of FIGURE 2 employs a construction somewhat similar to that of FIGURE 1, inasmuch as a syringe body 151 comprises a forward portion 152 and rear portion 153, threaded together at 154, the forward portion 152 having four longitudinal slots 156, forming four resilient forward segments 157, each having a forward peripheral notch 165, and each being urged to a position into engagement with a cylindrical member 159, having a frusto-conical outer surface 160, which flares outwardly from its forward edge and engages a frusto-conical surface 161 on a thickened portion 162 of each of the segments 157. A frusto-conical surface 163 is disposed forward of the notch 165, flares outwardly from the forward edge of the syringe body 166, and is adapted to cooperate in an engaging relation during the process of positioning the flange 167 in the notch 165. A plurality of cylindrical members 168 are each integrally formed with the member 159, and have a flange 170, the rear end of which bears against and frictionally engages the stem 171.

The flange 170 thus acts as a brake, so that during forward movements of the stem 171, the frictional force developed between the stem surface and the flange 170 causes the cylindrical member 159 to be pressed forward, whereby its conical surface drives against the thickened portion 157 forcing it outwardly, thereby locking the ampule body 172 to the syringe body 151 by causing the notch on the body segments 157 to engage the flange 167 of the ampule body 172. When the stern 171 is withdrawn or pulled rearwardly, the flange will snap into engagement with a notch 175, provided on the stem 171, so that the flange 170 engages the forward flat surface 176 of the notch, which action pulls the member 159 downwardly causing .the segments 157 at the forward end 166 of the body 151 to move radially inwardly, disengaging the notch from the flange 167. The rear end of the notch 175 is provided with a frusto-conical or beveled edge 178 which facilitates the entry of the flange 170 into the notch 175.

In the hypodermic syringe 180 according to FIGURE 3, the ampule body 181 is attached to the syringe body 182, as the rear end of the ampule body 181 is pressed against the fiusto-conical surface 30, until the flange 39 snaps into engagement with the notch 29, which is contoured to receive the radially directed inward flange. Nonetheless, additional securing means are also provided, which comprise a sleeve member 183 surrounding and slida-bly engaging the outer surface of the syringe body 182 which is somewhat smaller in diameter than the ampule body 181. The inner forward surface 184 of the sleeve 183 widens in a forward direction. The outer surface of the ampule body 181 cooperates with the surface 184 so that, when the sleeve 183 is moved forwardly, it effects -a wedging action between its inner surface 184 and the outer surface 185 of the ampule body 181 thereby further securing the ampule body 181 and the syringe body 180.

In the hypodermic syringe 190, according to FIGURES 4 and 5, the ampule body 191 is locked to the syringe body 192 in a manner quite similar to that shown in FIG- URE 3. The front end of the syringe body 192 tapers towards the forward direction and thereby provides a frusto-conical surface 193 which is adapted to cooperate with the interior of the passage wall 195. A peripheral flange 196 is provided on the rear edge of the ampule body 191 and extends radially outwardly. A notch 197, disposed just rearward of a frusto-conical surface 199, flaring inwardly from the forward edge 200 of the sleeve 201, is contoured to receive the flange 196. The sleeve 201 slidably engages and surrounds the body 192. In operation, after the flange 196 and notch 197 are engaged, the syringe body 192 is pressed forward so that the conical surface 193 drives against the passage wall 195 locking the peripheral flange 196 into the notch 197 of the sleeve 201. The sleeve 201 in this arrangement is shown to carry the finger grip 202.

The hypodermic syringe 240, according to FIGURE 6, includes a syringe body 241 surrounded by a sleeve 242, which is formed of resilient material and includes four D longitudinal slots 243, which extend from the forward end 244 of the body 241 to a position near the rear of the sleeve 242. In effect, the sleeve 242 in the forward area comprises four segments 245, each having at its forward end a thickened portion 246, provided with a frustoconical inner surface 247. Each segment 245 is externally provided with a peripheral notch 249, adapted to cooperate with a flange 250, formed on an ampule body 251, and directed radially inwardly into the ampule passage 252. The usual frusto-conical surface 254 is also provided. The sleeve 242, carrying a conventional finger grip 257, is connected to the syringe body 241 by means of threads 256. The syringe body 241 tapers conically at its forward end, and thereby cooperates with the conical surface 247, formed on each segment 245.

When the sleeve 242 is moved rearwardly by being turned about the syringe body 241, each segment 245 normally having a more inward position, is pressed outwardly, thereby securing the ampule body 251 to the syringe body 241. Merely by reversing the above process, the ampule body 251 can be disengaged.

According to FIGURE 7, the syringe body 260 has a cylindrical sleeve 261, surrounding and engaging the outer surfaces 262 of the syringe body 260, which has four slots 264, equally positioned about the syringe body 260, forming four segments 263. The syringe body 260 is shown to flare outwardly at its forward end. An inner peripheral notch 265 is formed and cooperates with an external flange 267, extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the forward end of the ampule body 269. The ampule body 269 is secured to the syringe body 260, when the outer sleeve 261 is moved forward into the indicated position, which moves the segments 263 radially inwardly, securing the flange 267 within the notch 265. When the ampule body 2 69 is to be disengaged, the sleeve 261 is retracted to a position shown in dotted lines, whereby its rear end is brought into contact with the finger grip 270, formed on a rear portion 260a of the syringe body 260. Being resilient, the forward portion of the segments 263 springs radially outward, disengaging the flange 267 from the notch 265. The syringe body 268 is shown to comprise a cylindrical forward portion 260b, connected by means of screw threads 272 to the rear portion 260a.

In the hypodermic syringe 280, according to FIGURES 8 and 9, the syringe body 281 comprises a forward portion 282 and a rear portion 283, secured together by means of a threaded connection 284. A compression spring 285, bearing against the forward and rear portions 282 and 283, prevents the threaded connection 284 from loosening. A finger grip 286 is fixed to the syringe body 281 by I being pressed between the forward and rear portions 282 and 283, at a position adjacent the threaded connection 284.

Slidably surrounding the forward portion 282 of the syringe body 281 is a sleeve member 287. A slot 289, provided in the inner surface of the sleeve 287, cooperates with an annular ring 290, mounted within a notch 291, formed in the forward portion 282, and extends into the slot 289, to limit the relative forward and rearward movements of the syringe body 281 in relation to the sleeve 287.

The forward end of the sleeve 287, with a portion 292 of reduced diameter, is insertable into the opening of a passage 295 of the ampule body 296. Moreover, the forward end of the sleeve 287 is provided with a seating surface 297 for the rear end of the ampule body 296. The portion 292, formed forward 'from the seating surface 297, has a slot 299, as best seen in FIGURE 9, which extends in two positions completely through the wall of the portion 292. Within the slot 299, there is arranged a spring member 298 in the form of a slotted ring. The spring 298, of a compression variety, normally extends inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve 287 However, when the syringe body 281 is moved forward it engages the inner portion of the spring member 298,

first with a frusto-conical surface 300 and then with a cylindrical section of expanded diameter 301, forcing the spring member 298 outwardly, so that it contacts or engages the inner wall 303 of the passage 295, securing the ampule body 2 96 to the sleeve 287. It will be noted that the ampule body 296 includes at its rear end a flange member 305 which extends radially inwardly into the ampule passage 295. To remove the ampule body 296, the syringe body 291 is merely retracted or moved rearward in relation to the sleeve 287, permitting the spring member 298 to contract, thus freeing the connection with the ampule body 296.

The hypodermic syringe 310 illustrated in FIGURES 10-12, employs an ampule body 311 identical in construction with the ampule body 32 depicted in FIGURE 1, and therefore, for the sake of brevity, no explanation of the ampule body 311 will be given herewith as the same numerals employed in FIGURE 1 will be used. Moreover, the means including the lands 19 and 20 for securing the front end of the stem with the piston are also the same.

The syringe body 3 12, however, is different in construction, comprising forward and rear portions 313 and 314, secured together by means of a threaded connection 315. Mounted within a bore 317 formed within the forward portion 313, a cylindrical member 318 seats against the rear portion 314 with its rear end and extends forwardly to a position beyond the forward end of the syringe body 312. The cylindrical member 318 is provided with four longitudinal slots 319, which extend from its forward edge to a position near the rear end of the member 318. This, in effect, provides four forward segments '321 at the front end of the member 318. The forward end of the member 318, in each segment 321, is provided with a notch 322, formed forward of the syringe body 312. Furthermore, the forward portion 313, as seen in FIGURE 12, is shaped inwardly so that there is a gap 323 between the interior wall 325 of the forward portion 313 and the wall of the outer bore of the segments 321. The cylindrical member 318, of hollow configuration, contains an interior fr-usto-conical surface 326, which is adapted to cooperate with a frusto-conical surface 32-7, formed on a wedged member 329 in the manner shown in FIGURE 11. A compression spring 330, surrounding the stem 331, is disposed in the bore .317 and urges the wedge member 329 forwardly, so that its frusto-conical surface 327 engages the interior frustoconical surface 326 of the member 318, the member 318 ur ing the notches 322 outwardly.

In order to secure the ampule body 311 to the syringe body 312, the stern 331 is retracted rearward to a position shown in FIGURE 12. More particularly, after the land 20 engages the forward surface on the wedge member 329 pulling it rearwardly, it disengages the frustoconical wedge surface 327 from the frusto-conical surface 326 of the cylindrical member 318. Because of this action, the forward end of the member 318 moves inwardly, releasing the ampule body 311 from the syringe body 312. When the stem 331 is then released, the compression spring 330 moves the wedge member 32 9 and the stem forward to a position, whereby the wedge frusto-conical surface 327 engages the frusto-conical surface 326 of the member 318, moving the segments 321 outwardly, locking the flange 333 on the ampule body 311 within the notch 322 of the cylindrical member 318. Thereafter, the stem 331 may be moved forwardly, removing the land 319 from the bore of the cylindrical member 31 8 and engaging it in a manner described with the embodiment of FIGURE 1 within a recess 26 of the the piston.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments are exemplary, and that they are susceptible to modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, all such variations and modifications are included within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward and rear ends thereof, a stern movably arranged in the bore and of greater longitudinal extent than the syringe body; an ampule needle unit comprising an ampule body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body to form a unitary device, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, a piston in sealing relation with and movable through the passage to expel medication through the needle and closing the rear of the passage, the stem being engageable with the piston, and means detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body comprising a peripheral flange formed on the rear end of the ampule body, an attaching member provided with a seat in its forward end contoured to receive the ampule flange, and a locking member engaging the attaching member and adapted for relative longitudinal movement therewith whereby the rear end of the ampule body and the forward end of the attaching member are pressed together to secure the engagement of the seat and the flange.

2. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange extends radially inwardly from the rear end of the ampule into the ampule passage, and wherein the forward end of the syringe body is provided with a notch contoured to receive the flange and a sleeve member surrounding and engaging the syringe body, the sleeve member being provided with a frusto-conical inner surface extending outwardly towards its forward end and movable in a forward manner whereby its flaring surface engages the outer surface of the ampule body securing the flange within the notch.

3. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange formed on the rear end of the ampule extends radially outwardly and wherein a sleeve surrounding and engaging the syringe body is provided with a notch formed in its forward end contoured to receive the ampule flange, the syringe body having frustoconical surface flaring inwardly towards its forward end which is insertable in the passage and adapted to engage the passage wall securing the flange within the notch.

4. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange formed in the rear end of ampule body extends radially inwardly into the ampule passage and wherein a sleeve member surrounding the syringe body and positionable in a longitudinal manner along the syringe body is provided with a notch in its forward end contoured to receive the ampule flange, the sleeve having a frusto-conical interior surface flaring inwardly towards its forward end and engageable with a frusto-conical surface formed on the forward end of the syringe body to secure the notch and the flange when the sleeve is moved rearwardly.

5. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 4 wherein the syringe body is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots extending rearward from the forward end of the syringe body.

6. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange extends radially outwardly from the rear end of the ampule body,'the forward end of the syringe body is provided with a notch formed in its interior Wall and contoured to receive the flange, and a sleeve member surrounding the syringe body is positionable in a forward direction to urge the notch inwardly securing the flange therein.

7. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 6 wherein the syringe body is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots extending rearward from the forward end of the syringe body.

8. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral flange formed in the rear end of the ampule extends radially inwardly into the ampule passage and wherein a sleeve member surrounding the syringe body has a forward section insertable into the ampule passage, an annular slot extending about its periphery, and a compression spring provided in the slot and urged inwardly, the syringe body being insertable through the bore and adapted to engage the spring and move it into an engaging relation with the passage wall.

9. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 wherein the attaching member is secured in the bore of the syringe body and provided with a notch formed therein beyond the forward edge of the syringe body, and wherein the ampule body includes a flange formed in the rear of the ampule body and extending radially inwardly into the passage, the notch being contoured to receive the flange.

10. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 9 wherein the bore secured attaching member is contoured to provide a gap between the forward end of the syringe body and the bore attaching member at a position adjacent the forward edge of the syringe body, and means adapted to engage the bore urging it into engagement with the forward end of the syringe body when the stem is moved to a pre-determined position wherein its forward end extends into the ampule passage.

11. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 10 wherein a syringe body is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots extending rearward from the forward end of the syringe body.

12. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward end thereof, a stem movably arranged in the bore; an ampule needle unit comprising an ampule body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body; a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, means holding liquid medication within the passage and sealing the passage to prevent the escape of the medication, the stem being engageable with the liquid holding means, means for detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body comprising a peripheral flange disposed at the rear end of the ampule body and extending radially inwardly, and a peripheral notch formed in the forward end of the syringe body and contoured to receive the ampule flange.

13. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 12 wherein the forward end of the syringe body includes a frusto-conical surface disposed just forward of the syringe body notch.

14. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward and rear ends thereof, a stem movably arranged in the bore and of greater longitudinal extent than the syringe body; an ampule needle unit comprising an ampule body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body to form a unitary device, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, a piston in sealing relation with and movable through the passage to expel medication through the needle, and closing the rear of the passage, the stem being engageable with the piston, and means detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body comprising a peripheral flange disposed at the rear end of the ampule body and extending radially inwardly into the passage, and a peripheral notch formed in the forward end of the syringe body and contoured to receive the ampule flange.

15. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 14 wherein the forward end of the syringe body includes a frustoconical surface disposed just forward of the syringe body notch and flaring outwardly from the forward edge of the syringe body.

16. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 15 including a recess provided in the piston and means for detachably securing the forward end of the stem within the recess.

17. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward and rear ends thereof, a stem movably arranged in the bore and of greater longitudinal extent than the syringe body, an ampule needle uni-t comprising an ampule body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body to form a unitary device, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, a piston in sealing relation with and movable through the passage to expel medication through the needle, and closing the rear of the passage, the stem being engageable with the piston, and means detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body comprising a flange formed at least part way around the periphery of the rear end of the ampule body and extending radially outwardly, and a peripheral notch formed at least partially around the periphery of the forward end of the syringe body and contoured to receive the ampule flange.

18. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward and rear ends thereof, a stem movably arranged in the bore and of greater longitudinal extent than the syringe body, an ampule needle unit comprising an ampuie body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body to form a unitary device, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, a piston in sealing relation with and movable through the passage to expel medication through the needle, and closing the rear of the passage, the piston having a recess formed therein, the stem being engageable with the piston, and means detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body comprising a peripheral flange formed in the rear end of the ampule and a peripheral notch formed in the forward end of the syringe body and contoured to receive the ampule flange, and means for detachably securing the forward end of the stern within the recess formed in the piston.

19. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 18 wherein the stem securing means includes a first land provided at the forward edge of the stem and having a frusto-conical surface, and wherein the piston recess comprises a cylindrical section opening at the rear end and communicating with a cavity section having a greater diameter than the first land so as to provide a receptacle for the first land.

20. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 19 wherein the stem securing means includes a second land spaced rearwardly from the first land and of greater diameter than the first land, the second land adapted to engage the rear end of the piston when the first land is disposed within the piston cavity.

21. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward ard rear ends thereof, a stem movably arranged in the bore and of greater longitudinal extent than the syringe body; an ampule needle unit comprising an ampule body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body to form a unitary device, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, a piston in sealing relation with and movable through the passage to expel medication through the needle, and closing the rear of the pas sage, the stem being engageable with the piston, and means detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the forward end of the syringe body comprising a peripheral flange formed on the rear end of the ampule body and extending radially inwardly into the ampule passage, a peripheral notch formed in the forward end of the syringe body and contoured to receive the flange, the forward portion of the syringe body being resilient and urged radially inwardly, and having an interior surface in engagement with the stem, the stem including a section of reduced diameter positioned adjacent the forward end of the stem and so disposed that when the interior surface engages the reduced diameter section the notch will move inwardly releasing the ampule flange.

22. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 21 where in the syringe body is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots extending rearward from the forward end of the syringe body.

23. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination comprising a syringe body unit having a bore extending through the forward and rear ends thereof, a stem movably arranged in the bore and of greater longitudinal extent than the syringe body; an ampule needle unit comprising an ampule body having forward and rear ends and a passage opening at the rear end of the ampule body, a needle holder operably associated with the ampule body to form a unitary device, an injection needle secured in the needle holder and extending to have one end disposed beyond the forward edge of the needle holder and the other end to be in communication with the interior of the passage, a piston in sealing relation with and movable through the passage to expel medication through the needle, and closing the rear of the passage, the stem being engageable with the piston, and means detachably securing the rear end of the ampule body with the for-ward end of the syringe body comprising a peripheral flange formed on the rear end of the ampule body and extending radially inwardly into the ampule passage, a notch formed in the forward portion of the syringe body and contoured to receive the flange, the forward portion being resilient and urged radially inwardly and having a frustoconical interior surface, a wedge member disposed in the bore and surrounding the stem and having a frusto-conical surface adapted to cooperate with the forward portion surface, and means operated by the stem for moving the wedge member forwardly securing the flange in the notch, the operating means also adapted to move the wedge member rearwardly releasing the flange from the notch.

24. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 23 wherein the syringe body is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots extending rearward from the forward end of the syringe body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,115,135 12/1963 Sarnoff 128218 3,155,093 11/1964 Enstrom et al 128218 3,256,884 6/1966 Hill et a1. 128-235 1,139,368 5/1915 Pierce 128-218 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. M. MAJESTIC, Assistant Examiner. 

